The portrait was painted by Austrian-Irish artist Gottfried Helnwein. Helnwein

The official gubernatorial portrait of former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is displayed in the Rotunda of the State Capitol following an unveiling ceremony Monday in Sacramento, California.
The portrait was painted by Austrian-Irish artist Gottfried Helnwein. Helnwein is known for his stark and dramatic work, including a series on children in war, a watercolor of Adolf Hitler and some rather grotesque self-portraits. He also worked with Marilyn Manson

The piece was described as a “neo-realist, monochromatic study of the former governor” by Barbara Gasser, an Austrian reporter and member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who spoke with Helnwein.“Arnold is one of the most remarkable men of our times,” Helnwein said in a statement. “He is larger than life, he is a myth, and he has already lived several lives that became legend … I was excited an honored when he asked me to paint his official portrait. It was quite a challenge, and I enjoyed every moment of it.”

Gubernatorial portraits are usually paid for by the taxpayer, but Schwarzenegger paid for his own, according to the Los Angeles Times’ Chris Megerian. Schwarzenegger’s will be displayed on the third floor of the Capitol, next to the one of former governor Gray Davis, the Democrat he replaced in 2003 after the state’s recall election.

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger revealing the official portrait at a ceremony in the state Capitol